The hagiographer of the Nicaean emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes (), identified John with the latter's grandfather, who supposedly had two sons named Nikephoros and Theodore, who were persecuted by Andronikos I Komnenos ().
The preceding conversation:
DIALOG: --What is the difference between Vatatzes and earlier commanders? --Theodore Vatatzes married Eudokia, the sister of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos () and was named "despotes"; his sons were Andronikos, Alexios, and John Komnenos Vatatzes, who became "megas domestikos" (commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army). --Are there any other interesting aspects about this article? --